JMIR Form Res. 2022 Sep 2. doi: 10.2196/39109. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to limit the spread of infectious diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19. Unfortunately, vaccination hesitancy continues to be a threat to national and global health. Further research is necessary to determine the modifiable and non-modifiable factors contributing to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in under resourced, under-served, and at risk rural and urban communities.
OBJECTIVE: To identify, understand, and address modifiable barriers and factors contributing to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among vaccine eligible individuals with access to the vaccine in Alaska and Idaho.
METHODS: An electronic survey based on the World Health Organization (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group on Experts (SAGE) on Immunization survey tool and investigators’ previous work was created and distributed in June-July 2021. To be eligible to participate in the survey, individuals had to be ≥18 years of age and reside in Alaska or Idaho. Responses were grouped into four mutually exclusive cohorts for data analysis and reporting based on intentions to be vaccinated. Respondent characteristics and vaccine influences between cohorts were compared using chi-square tests and ANOVA. Descriptive statistics were also used.
RESULTS: There were data from 736 usable surveys with 40 respondents that did not intend to be vaccinated, 27 unsure of their intentions, 8 that intended to be fully vaccinated with no doses received, and 661 fully vaccinated or that intended to be with one dose received. There were significant difference in characteristics and influences between those that were COVID-19 vaccine hesitant and those who have been vaccinated. Concerns related to possible side effects, enough information on long-term side effects, and enough information that is specific to respondent’s health conditions were seen in those that did not intend to be fully vaccinated and unsure about vaccination. In all cohorts except those that did not intend to be fully vaccinated, more information about how well the vaccine works was a likely facilitator to vaccination.
CONCLUSIONS: These survey results from two rural states indicate that recognition of individual characteristics may influence vaccine choices. However, these individual characteristics represent only a starting point in delivering tailored messages that should come from trusted sources to address vaccination barriers.
PMID:36067411 | DOI:10.2196/39109
